My diet:

E120 Carmine (Cochineal)

E120ColorsOrigin: Animal
Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganNo

Made from insects. Not vegetarian either.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalDepends

Scholars disagree: many halal certifiers reject insect-derived colors, others permit them.

Full answer ›
KosherNo

Insects are not kosher.

KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Carmine (E120) is a red dye made from crushed insects. It's not vegan, vegetarian or kosher, and halal status is disputed. It can cause rare severe allergies.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE120
Comes fromAnimal
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limit5 mg/kg
Also calledCochineal, Cochineal extract

Get the plant-colored version

Plant-based picks
Plant-based swap

Beet root powder for coloring

Bright pink color from vegetables.

Shop beet powder Opens your country’s Amazon store
Vegan treats

Vegan red candy (no carmine)

Colored with fruit and vegetable juice.

Shop vegan candy Opens your country’s Amazon store
Look for the label

Certified vegan strawberry yogurt

Plant-based yogurts colored with beet.

Shop vegan yogurt Opens your country’s Amazon store

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes our ratings.

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved everywhere. Since 2011 the FDA requires it be named as "carmine" or "cochineal extract" on labels, because it can cause severe allergic reactions.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

350 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 100 mg a day.

What is it?

Carmine is the deep red pigment from cochineal insects. It's considered a "natural color" and is very stable, which is why it's used where synthetic dyes are avoided.

Where it comes from: Made from crushed cochineal insects (about 70,000 per pound of dye) farmed on cactus in Peru and the Canary Islands.

Why it’s in food

  • Colors strawberry yogurt and ice cream pink
  • Gives red candy and drinks a stable color
  • Used in lipstick and blush

Often found in

Strawberry yogurtPink ice creamRed candyFruit drinksSome sausages

Also listed as: Cochineal, Cochineal extract, Carminic acid, Natural Red 4, Crimson lake

Health & gut impact

AllergyUnder study

Can cause hives and, rarely, anaphylaxis in sensitive people.

FDA Final Rule, 74 FR 207 (2009)

ToxicityConcern

No toxic effects at normal intakes.

EFSA Journal 13(11):4288 (2015)

What can I use instead?

Beet juice

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Pink yogurt and frosting

Lycopene (tomato)

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Red sauces and drinks

Related

Is it halal?

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidBeetroot Red (Betanin) E162Beetroot red (E162) is a natural red color made from beets, and it's one of the safest colors you'll find on a label. It's the most common swap for Red 40, though it fades with heat and light.Generally safeBeta-Carotene E160aBeta-carotene (E160a) is the orange pigment in carrots, and it's safe as a food color. Your body turns some of it into vitamin A. High-dose supplements raised lung cancer risk in smokers, but food coloring amounts are far smaller.Generally safeBrilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1) E133Blue 1 (E133) is a synthetic blue dye with a cleaner safety record than most petroleum dyes, and it doesn't need a warning in the EU. It's still being removed from California school food and is part of the FDA's push to phase out synthetic dyes.Best to avoid

Common questions

Is Carmine safe?

Use in moderation (60/100). Approved everywhere. Since 2011 the FDA requires it be named as "carmine" or "cochineal extract" on labels, because it can cause severe allergic reactions.

Is Carmine vegan?

No. Made from insects. Not vegetarian either.

Is Carmine gluten-free?

Yes.

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it ›

Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 73.100 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E120
  • FDA Final Rule, 74 FR 207 (2009)
  • EFSA Journal 13(11):4288 (2015)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: October 31, 2026 · INS 120 · CAS 1390-65-4